Pool season is upon us. If you own a condo, HOA, or apartment building, you’ve no doubt fielded requests about opening the pool. These pools and the spaces around them are where tenants and homeowners go to relax, spend some time in the water, and socialize with their neighbors.
Unfortunately, community pools have some downsides, making them what your insurance company considers a “high-risk amenity.” This means that that community pool could cost you a lot in insurance claims if you don’t take some steps now to reduce your liability.
What Can Go Wrong in a Pool or Pool Area?
Why are pools considered to be high risk as far as an insurance company is concerned? Here are few examples of what could go wrong:
- Someone enters the pool without proper supervision and almost drowns (and ends up needing acute medical care).
- A tenant slips and falls on the pool’s surface, breaking an ankle.
- Rowdy teenagers enter the pool after hours and in an unauthorized manner, causing damage to the tile and pool.
- An adult dives into the pool, not realizing that they’re at the shallow end and injures their head or neck.
These are just a few examples of what could go wrong with a community pool. Since you can’t get rid of the pool as it’s something that draws in tenants and keeps homeowners happy, you need to find a way to manage your risk and liability. The simple solution: pool rules.
Establish Clear Pool Rules and Enforce Them Consistently
Not only do you need to establish a set of rules for the pool, but you also need to make sure that your employees enforce them. Without proper enforcement, those rules mean nothing. If you truly want to limit your liability, then consider putting some of these rules into effect:
- Pool hours
- Guest limitations
- Diving restrictions
- Supervision requirements for children
- Prohibited activities (running, roughhousing, glass containers, etc.)
In addition to setting up some rules, you also need to train your employees to document rule violations and keep a careful eye on the pool while it’s in use. Having the ability to enforce rules, like those prohibiting running near the pool’s surface, can keep expensive accidents from happening. Also, when something happens, your employees need to document it. Training them in the proper way to do this helps your insurance claims go more smoothly because they’ll be able to produce all of the information that your agency needs.
Use Signage to Communicate Safety Expectations
Proper signage is another way to reduce your liability. By having all of the rules clearly posted, you can use them as a defense should your HOA get sued by someone injured in the pool. For example, if they hurt themselves running and the sign clearly says, “no running,” then you may not be liable for their damages. Proper signage is key.
Have Questions? Contact Charlotte Insurance
Want to learn more about the importance of having the right types of liability insurance for your condo, HOA, or apartment complex? Contact Charlotte Insurance. Our agents can explore and explain all available options and put together the insurance coverage plan you need.